Folding box or crate.



No. 742,593. PATENTED 001". 27, 1903. A. J. GOGHE.

FOLDING BOX 0R CRATE. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 6, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATESv Iatented October 27, 1905;.

ANDREW J. COGHE, o cAENEeIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING BOX OR CRATE.

'D'EECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 742,593, dated October 2'7, 1903. Application filedJune 5, 1903. Serial No. 160,247. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. COGHE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Carnegie, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Boxes or Crates, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in folding boxes, crates, and the like, and has for its main object to provide novel means whereby the box or crate may be folded in such a manner that the same will occupy comparatively small space. when folded, thereby diminishing the cost in return shipment to a minimum.

Another object of my invention is to provide a folding box with means whereby when the box is put together for use the same will be firmly and securely held in this position and will be strong and durable, means being provided around the edge of said box for strengthening the same.

Briefly described, my invention comprises a box having four sides, a top, and a bottom, said sides, top,and bottom being strengthened upon their outer edges by metallic strips, these strips being preferably angular in form, and when said box is in use I provide means for securing these four sides, top, and bottom together.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part, of this specification, and wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved folding box or crate. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is a top plan view with the top or lid of the box removed. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view of one of the corners of my improved box. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken through one of the sides and the top or lid of the box, showing the means employed for securing the top or lid upon the box. Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the locking means. To put my invention into practice, I provide a box having the sides 1 and the ends 2,

the top or lid 3, and the base 4. The ends and sides of my improved box have their in ner edges cut away, as indicated at 5, for the reception of the base and top of the box. This top and base carry a projection 6 around their edges, which rests or seats in the recess 5, formed in the sides 1 and the ends 2. Upon the ends of the box I secure metallic strips '7, which are bent at right angles, as indicated at 8, said bent portion engaging in the groove or recess 9, formed in the sides of the box, this groove or recess extending the full height of the sides. The ends ,carry the recess or cut-away portion 10 upon their sides similar to the recess or cut-away portion 5, formed in the top of said ends and sides, this cut-awayportion resting or seating in the recess or cut-away portion 11 of the sides. S ecured upon the edges of the sides, preferably at their ends, are the angular strips 12, these strips engaging and supporting the ends of the box, as indicated at 14. To secure the top and base of my improved box in position upon the sides and the ends thereof, I provide an aperture 15, said aperture being drilled or formed at an angle, and in this aperture I secure a hook 16. The aperture 15 passes through the lid or top 6 of the box 1 at an angle, said aperture registering with the aperture 17, formed near the top of the sides of the box.

The manner of placing the top and bottom of my improved box together is as follows: The ends 2, carrying the angular strips 8, are forced downwardly, the angular strips 8, engaging in the recesses 9, formed in the sides 1 of the box. The angular strips 12 and the shoulders 10,carried by the sides,form grooves in which the ends slide. The top or lid and the base are then secured upon the side and ends by means of the hook 16, (illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings,) this hook being passed through apertures 15 17 of the top and sides, when the protruding end of said hook is bent at an angle conforming to the side of the box, a similar hook being already formed upon the other end of'the locking means. In Fig. 1 of the drawings I have shown this locking means as secured upon the difierent corners of the box, and while I have herein described this means of securing the top and base of the box upon the sides and ends I do not care'to limit myself to this construction, but

IOO

may employ any desired means for holding the top and base in position. It will be readily seen from the above construction and the manner of securing the sides and. ends together that it will be impossible for the same to become loose or disengaged during the shipment of the box. All edges of the box are protected by the metallic strips above described.

XVhile I have illustrated in the drawings my improved folding box in the form of a box, it is obvious that the sides thereof may be made of lattice-work and the same used as a crate for berries and the like, and it will be noted that various other changes may be made in the, details of construction without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A folding box or crate comprising four sides, a topand a base, metallic angularstrips carried by the sides of said box, the sides of said box being formed with recesses for the reception of the ends, and auxiliary recesses to receive the angular strips carried by the ends thereof, angular strips carried by the sides of said box, said strips protruding beyond said sides and forming a groove or guideway for the ends of the box, in the top and lower edges of the sides and ends formed with recesses to receive the top and base of said box, the corners of the top and base of said box, said apertures extending at an angle and registering when the same is in the built-up position, a hook having a shank portion which passes through said apertures, the lower end of said shank portion being adapted to be bent at an angle, substantially as described.

2. A box having its sides and ends formed with aliuing openings, metal strips carried by the box ends, and having inbent portions extending through said openings, metallic strips carried by the box sides, having their free portions overlapping the ends of the first-named strips, and a securing means extending through said strips, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW J. COGHE.

Vitnesses:

E. E. POTTER, KARL H. BUTLER. 

